ALTERNATIVE BELIEFS Conventional beliefs are the ones which most people share, but alternative beliefs are

usually held by minorities. Among the most common alternative beliefs are those involving mediums and clairvoyants. Mediums claim to have psychic powers and extra sensory perception. They invite people to special meetings called seances where they demonstrate their ability to talk to the dead and convey their messages to the living. Clairvoyants claim to foresee events and have been known to offer their services both to famous politicians and members of royal families. There are many biblical examples of fortune-telling including premonitions such as Joseph's dream. Cynics maintain that accurate predictions result from the laws of probability and do not provide proof of special powers. DIALOGUE A: Do you believe in horoscopes? B: I certainly don't believe in the ones you see in the popular press ... you know what I mean ... they give you half a horoscope and a telephone number. If you want the interesting half you are charged 48 pence per minute! A: They could still be true. Everybody has to earn a living! B: Yes, but a serious astrologer would want to know a person's exact date of birth, not just their star sign. A: Well, even so, why should the exact positions of the Sun, Moon and other planets on your date of birth have any connection whatsoever with your personality and the future course of your life? B: I suppose it's all part of your total environment. Scientists don't understand everything, but they often observe links between certain phenomena. A: In that case, would you describe astrology as a science? B: It depends who's doing it. A: You could say that about a lot of things we call sciences.

a star sign a horoscope a planet to forsee to predict to convey extra sensory perception

phenomena a prediction a dream an appearance a character happenings seances

astrology astronomy fortune-telling telepathy psychic power a personality a premonition

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. Do you think there is intelligent life on other planets? 2. Some people claim to have seen UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects) such as flying saucers. Do you believe them? 3. What is your opinion of people who say that they can communicate with spirits? Have you ever taken part in a seance? 4. Do you know anybody with psychic powers or extra sensory perception? 5. Do you believe in telepathy? Is there another person in the world with whom you have a special understanding? 6. Would you ever visit an astrologer for a forecast of how your life will run in the future? 7. What does your star sign tell you about your personality and your compatibility with other people? 8. Do you believe in other forms of fortune-telling such as * palmistry? * tarot cards? * reading teacups?